10 best ways to celebrate Burns Night 2020
Our National Bard (and Bob Dylan's biggest inspiration's) 261st birthday is upon us, on January 25th, Scotland's pubs and restos will be awash with haggis, neeps, tatties, drams and celidhs as we celebrate the life, times and words of Robert Burns. There's a lot of options out there so we've picked out 10 of the best in Edinburgh (and a few beyond).
Hotel du Vin
Set just off the Royal Mile - between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, Hotel du Vin places you right among historic Edinburgh, making it one the best spots in town to celebrate Burns Night. The event itself doesn't rest on the laurels of its geography, the Auld Alliance Burns Supper feature a delicious, themed three-course dinner, including tea and coffee plus entertainment throughout by way of a full ceilidh band, a piper, poem readings and more.
£34.95 per person. 11 Bristo Pl, EH1 1EZ. For more details or to book call Hotel du Vin Edinburgh on 01312851479 or email events.edinburgh@hotelduvin.com
Wedgwood the Restaurant
Teaming up for the second year with The Real Mary King's Close, expect a Burns Supper like no other. Diners will enjoy a contemporary three-course meal with haggis at its centre with a live recital of Burns’ poetry. After the meal, participants will be escorted to The Real Mary King's Close for a Burns-inspired guided tour of the uniquely preserved historic streets underneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The evening will be completed with a dram of whisky in the Burgh Courtroom as the nation raises a glass to Scotland's favourite son.
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th January. 6.30pm, £59 per person. 267 Canongate, Royal Mile, EH8 8BQ. Book your place here.
Burns & Beyond
Raise a dram to Scotland's most famous poet at Burns & Beyond with Johnnie Walker 2020. Celebrating the legacy of Robert Burns through a programme of live music, art, comedy and creative talent from across Scotland, the inaugural festival welcomed over 30,000 visitors last year and it’s back from Tuesday 21 January to Saturday 01 February. There's so much going on that we could write a full article about it. In fact, we did!
For tickets and more information about Burns & Beyond with Johnnie Walker, click here
O were my Love yon Lilack fair,
Wi' purple blossoms to the Spring;
And I, a bird to shelter there,
When wearied on my little wing.
How I wad mourn, when it was torn
By Autumn wild, and Winter rude!
But I was sing on wanton wing,
When youthfu' May its bloom renew'd.
Burns Night Supper and Ceilidhs at The Scottish Cafe and Restaurant
Three nights of celebration from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th January make up this year's formidable offering at the Scottish Cafe and Restaurant. It's an unapologetically traditional affair with a three-course set menu which includes a nip of whisky to toast the haggis, ceilidh and piper for £50 per person. Or, for another £15, you can enjoy an arrival glass of fizz as well as an additional half bottle of wine with dinner, as well as a small dram.
Scottish National Gallery. The Mound, EH2 2EL. Book your spot here.
The Bonnie Badger
Tom Kitchin’s pub with rooms in the heart of East Lothian's coastal village of Gullane, will be serving a four-course menu created by Tom and Head Chef Matthew Budge showcasing the very best of Scotland’s produce, with traditional Scottish dishes and an optional wine pairing. Guests will be invited to coorie in for drinks and canapes before being seated for dinner where much loved piper, Major Iain Grant, will be performing the address to the Haggis. Diners can expect to sample delights of cock-a-leekie chicken and prune ravioli, smoked haddock kedgeree risotto, and of course it wouldn’t be Burns Night without the traditional Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. For desert, Tom and Matthew have remastered the classics and created Drambuie soufflé and cranachan ice cream which will complete the meal followed by teas and coffees and millionaire’s shortbread.
£35 per person. Main St, Gullane EH31 2AB. Email info@bonniebadger.com to book.
Burns Supper Drive Thru
Do you love burns night but can't be bothered cooking, being inside a house or looking people in the eye when you eat? Well, boy are you in luck. Drive into Newhailes Estate, order your meal and then enjoy in the comfort of your own car! You may even happen across a bit of poetry or a song. The Burns Haggis Supper features haggis, chappit neeps and mashed tatties with a whisky sauce, followed by a Tunnock’s Teacake, all washed down with a can of Irn Bru – £6.50. Burns Night, done.
Jan 25. Newhailes Estate, Musselburgh, 0131 653 5599
The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen’s Burns supper
Celebrate Burns Night at the George Street townhouse where the National Bard was once an honoured guest. Steeped in literary history with links to some of Scotland’s finest writers, including Rabbie himself, the acclaimed restaurant and bar will host a traditional Burns supper with all the trimmings. Guests on the evening will enjoy the sounds of a Scottish piper and the much-loved Address to the Haggis, while tucking into a four-course menu, celebrating seasonal Scottish classics, each paired with a dram to be enjoyed as you like it.
£52 per person. 7.30pm - 10.30pm. 21-25 George St, EH2 2PB. Book your spot here.
Last day my mind was in a bog, down George's Street I stoited; A creeping, cauld prosaic fog, my vera senses doited.
Do what I dought to set her free, my Muse lay in the mire; Ye turn'd a neuk - I saw your e'e She took the wing like fire.
Vegan Burns Supper at Beetroot Sauvage
Just because you're vegan doesn't mean you have to miss out on Burns Night. Vegan cafe and yoga studio, Beetroot Sauvage is putting on a traditional Scottish Burns supper, complete with poetry & music, only fully vegan, featuring cock-a-leekie, haggis, clapshot and buttered leeks, with creamy whisky sauce, raspberry cranachan, finished off with crowdie and homemade oatcakes.
£30 per person. 7pm. 33-41, Ratcliffe Terrace, EH9 1SX. Book your spot here.
Something a bit different...
Haggis ice cream at Jannettas Gelateria
If you live in Fife or find yourself in the glorious Kingdom, then stop by legendary four-generational gelateria, Jannettas, who will be celebrating Burns Night by serving up a unique haggis-spiced ice cream. Meat-free - which feels like a real blessing in this instance - but with all the spicy flavours you’d expect from our national dish, this secret recipe has been developed by master ice cream maker, Owen Hazel using spices found in haggis. Ingredients like cracked black pepper and thyme give the scrumptious ice cream an oaty, fragrant taste with fiery undertones. If that sounds absolutely horrendous to you then we implore you to take the plunge, they know what they're doing at Jannettas and it's actually delicious!
Available in-store from Monday 20th January through to Burn’s Night on Saturday 25th January, cones start at £2 or add a flake for £2.60. Jannettas Gelateria, 31 South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9QR. jannettas.co.uk.
Haggis pizza from La Favorita
If you're one of those renegade mavericks who scoffs at tradition, then you can stick to the man while still enjoying the delicious trapping of Burns Night with this 12-inch concoction featuring a large helping of haggis, red onions, sliced potatoes, mozzarella and a drizzle of whisky.
£13.95. Available until February 2nd. Order yours here.
Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat
Sae let the Lord be thankit.